44 RODGERS' MANUFACTORY. with bloodstone, after being completely formed, was particularly interesting and beautiful. One fact communicated to us, in connection with the preparation of the ivory handles of knives and forks, from elephants' teeth, was entirely new-that of the extensive use made by confectioners of the dust collected from the sawings of the ivory, as a substitute for calves' feet, in making jelly. These gentlemen informed us that the demand was far beyond anything which they could meet, though bushels of this material were constantly accumulating in the processes of their manufactory. Every article manufactured by them, passes through a variety of hands in its formation and finish, -those in plate, tea and coffee-pots, urns, candlesticks, dishes, and their covers,-all being cut according to their different patterns from flat pieces, and then struck into their particular shapes by dies formed for each respectively. I improved a half-hour, while the workmen were at their dinner, in calling upon Montgomery, the poet, a resident of this place, of whose writings and character 1 have long been an admirer. He was not at his lodgings at the hour, and I left my card, with a letter of introduction to him, stating, in my desire to meet him, that I should be at the hotel till after three o'clock. On completing our view of the manufactories, we, in company with the Messrs. Rodgers, repaired to the inn, at which we were to take luncheon, and to join our carriages to return to Barlborough. We here discovered the reason why Mr. Rodes had ab sented himself. He is deeply interested in the success of a gentleman who is at present canvassing in Sheffield as a candidate for parliament, and had been occupied in writing a handbill, and having it struck off at a printing press advocating the claims of his friend, and inviting those of the townspeople disposed to support him to the hotel, to hear an address from him, and to partake in a distribution of beer, which he had ordered to be served in the street. While we were at table, the handbills were brought in,-their import soon communicated in the street, and a crowd as rapidly collected. Mr. Rodes addressed them from a window of the room in which we were, on the second floor-streams of beer were at the same time gushing from barrels which had been tapped below, and men, women, and children were rushing from every direction, with all manner of utensils, in which to catch a portion of the beverage,-while mingled cheers and hootings, and an uproar of rudeness and vulgarity, such as I have never before witnessed, were exhibited on every side to the ear and eye. The specimen of electioneering thus furnished to us, and the picture of a scene at the hustings, of which it might be supposed the imagery, produced no very happy impression on our minds, of the purity of the political influence here exercised, in regard either to its principles, or the modes in which it is put in operation. The spectacle exhibited at the most crowded polls, during the most warmly contested elections 1 have beheld in the sections and cities of the United States, with which I am familiar, would astonish both candidates and electors, accustomed to scenes similar to this now occurring. In the very height of the tumult, Mr. Montgomery was announced. He seems one of the most meek, quiet, and retiring of men,-is full of the gentler qualities and humble spirit of christianity ;—and an interview under such circumstances could scarce be of much interest to either of us. The carriages had been ordered to a door, in the court of the inn, the spirited animals attached to them had already become restive from the excitement around; and after a few moments' conversation he took his leave-not without a hope, on my part, of another and more propitious opportunity, before proceeding to the north, of further cultivating his acquaintance. The crowd was so great, and the cheering and hurraing so loud, that grooms were necessary at the horses' heads for the whole length of the street, to keep them from plunging on the people; and few of the party, I believe, thought their necks entirely safe, till we had nearly accomplished the distance of our return. PRECISION IN VISITING. 47 LETTER XXX. PARK HALL, AND BOLSOVER CASTLE. Hospitality of Mr. Rodes-Precision of time, and punctuality of meeting engagements, in an interchange of visits-Drive to Park Hall-Mrs. Pole-Her example and influence-A visit to her Sabbath School-Rev. Mr. Yates, and call at the Rectory-The Park at Barlborough-Bolsover Castle-Entertainments at it by the Duke of Newcastle, to Charles I. and his Queen-Preparations for leaying Barlborough-Impromptu of Captain Bolton-Mrs. Rodes. DEAR VIRGINIA, Barlborough Hall, Derbyshire, It was our intention to leave Barlborough on Saturday, in the prosecution of our journey. Upon this, however, Mr. Rodes laid an absolute veto, by declaring, in his warm-hearted and candid manner, that his park gates were peremptorily closed upon us till Monday morning-adding, "but then we will turn you out, for we ourselves are to be off for Alton Abbey, by nine, for a promised week with the Earl and Countess of Shrewsbury." The Abbey, a residence of that nobleman, some forty miles from this place, is among the most tasteful and magnificent seats, in the country. The manner, in regard to precision of time, and punctuality of arrival, in which the arrangements of a visit by one family, or families, to another, are made 48 PRECISION IN VISITING. here, differs in some respect, from the custom with us. Instead of the indefinite promise of being with a friend, sometime in the coming week, month, or season, as is not unusual in America, the exact day on which you are invited or are expected, is fixed even for months, in some cases, in advance. If any circumstance should in the mean time occur, to interfere with the engagement of the visitor, on the one hand, or with the convenience of his reception by his friend, on the other, both expect to be apprized at an early period, of the fact. Notwithstanding the great uncertainty in time of promised visits in general, in the United States, 1 have known individuals and families to leave all their own plans for a season, in a state of contingency from this cause, in a kind of courtesy to the convenience of their friends. The case is altogether different in England; and the utmost frankness is exercised on such occasions. For instance, if a family writes to another to whom a visit is intended, that they will be with them on such a day of the month,-should their arrangements be such that, at that time, their house would be full, or they themselves be going from home,—an answer is at once returned, that they cannot receive them then, or shall be absent till such a date. They never think of receiving guests, as is not unfrequently the case with us, beyond a number, which the accommodations of their establishments make convenient and agreeable, or of allowing any hospitality to those with whom they associate, to interfere with their own movements in reference either to business or to pleasure. On Saturday morning, Mr. Rodes, took me to |